The CTB limits increases in the state’s two-year appropriations of state funds and all funds (state and federal funds) to less than the average taxpayer’s ability to pay.

Texas’ Economic, Labor Market, and Fiscal Situation

The following presentation provides information* about Texas’ economy, labor market, and fiscal situation and key public policies that would increase individual liberty and economic prosperity.

Comparison of the Texas Legislature’s Recommended Budgets

The start of 2019 has our families and yours determining budget priorities. If you look at your budget, you get a good understanding of what you prioritize most. This also happens with the state’s budget.

Push the Legislature to bring soaring property taxes back to Earth

Now that midterm elections are behind us, Texans who own homes, rent apartments or run businesses should turn their attention to Austin for the next legislative session.

When you think of economic freedom, you should think of Buc-ee’s

In Texas, we have our own holiday traditions, such as making a stop in our travels at a Buc-ee’s. If you’re among the unenlightened, Buc-ee’s is the chain of massive rest stops that combine the cleanest restrooms with some of the weirdest shopping experiences around.

What the pesky little chart left out of the public education tax picture

There’s a chart making the rounds at the Capitol and in newsrooms. It purports to show that state funding for public schools is dropping (in constant dollars) and it’s being used to make the argument that Texas is underfunding its schools.

In 2016, property taxes levied statewide grew to $56.1 billion. That’s a burden so large that the taxman effectively took $2,000 from every man, woman, and child in the Lone Star State or $8,000 from a family of four.

The 86th Texas Legislature Should Pass a Conservative Texas Budget

The Texas Model that includes a relatively modest level of taxation has allowed the state to remain a leader nationwide in economic prosperity. This reputation, however, is not guaranteed; each session demands fiscally sound decisions in Austin.

School Property Tax Reform: An Analysis of Options

This paper examines the economic effects of two options—one that finances school maintenance and operations property tax reductions with a reduction in spending growth and another that replaces those property taxes with state-level sales taxes over time.

Taxing Texans right out of their comfort food

Texas restaurant and bar Threadgill’s World Headquarters is as Austin as it gets. “Flummoxed and bludgeoned by property tax increases, the grim truth is that we can’t afford it on the slim margins you make on meatloaf and chicken-fried steak,” says Wilson.

Texas Lege should act to sustain prosperity

As Satchel Paige famously said, “Don’t look back — something might be gaining on you.” That’s a lesson Texas should take to heart in its upcoming legislative session. Its low-tax policies have made it the nation’s jobs engine for years, but other states are catching on — and maybe even catching up. Texas will need to further control spending and cut taxes if it is to maintain its lead.

Eliminating School M&O Property Tax in Texas

Texas’ property tax system has turned property owners into renters, where government is their landlord and Texans who struggle to pay annual tax bills face confiscation of their properties.

TEXAS’ ECONOMIC, LABOR MARKET, AND FISCAL SITUATION

This presentation provides information about Texas’ economy, labor market, and fiscal situation and key public policies that would increase individual liberty and economic prosperity.

Texas’ Business Tax Climate Needs Improving

Texans appreciate living in a state that values liberty, sensible business policy, and, perhaps most importantly, a strong dislike for taxes, which inevitably infringe on the first two values.

Texas needs fiscal transparency

We’ve set some pretty high goals for Texas’ budget for the upcoming biennium. And to achieve them, Texas need to overhaul its arcane and opaque budget-making process.

Texas’ property tax system has turned property holders into renters, where government is their landlord and Texans who struggle to pay annual tax bills face confiscation of their properties. Additionally, the growth of government is harming taxpayers and the economy through higher taxes and more regulation.

HOW THE TEXAS MODEL SUPPORTS PROSPEROUS FAMILIES

“But if we are honest with ourselves, we’ll admit that what too many fathers are also missing—missing from too many lives and too many homes. They have abandoned their responsibilities, acting like boys instead of men. And the foundations of our families are weaker because of it.”